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After reading some of the reviews of the book, I have to say I love this book. It's a great conversation book. Yes the boy took and he took. He learns a valuable lesson in the end. Some say it's teaches negative thingsbut as a parent you can talk to your child about why taking and not giving can lead to a life of being lonely and selfish. Also talk about how it can hurt a person feelings if you only take from them and don't give them love back. I think the purpose of this book is to start a conversation with children. Help them build empathy and teach them why having people in your life is better than material items. I will read this book again in my class room and have a conversation with the children. I know my children.always say the boy should have love the tree better and talk how it made them sad. This book is to spark emotions in children. I love it.

I don't know how or why I've only just now read this. It's short but packs a lot of emotion. Honestly it made me kind of sad and teary even though it's a children's book.
Why oh why does the boy have to take and take until the tree has nothing left to give? Why oh why does the tree continue to love him so? And the ending. I choked up.

My son loves this book. He is 3 so not sure of his thoughts HOWEVER I change the wording in parts and at the end I actually add a spiel about the "boy" apologising for taking so much from the tree and not appreciating her sooner or at all and that he learnt a lesson from her and her love.
Because my son loves it so much I bought a copy for us to own but I always talk about the concept of this book with him. I think it is a great way to display give and take and those type of emotions that we can't shield our kids from forever and are a part of life and different personalities.

bhrywang
Oct 15, 2015

I borrowed this book based on the very good review. however, my 2 years old son seems like not quite understand the concept, therefore, show very minimum interest on the book. It's not his favor book at his age.

This is a vile cruel disgusting book. it venerates selfishness and teaches entitlement and has a nasty passive aggressive undercurrent about the whole thing. I would take an axe to this book- in the spirit of the book of course.

Summary

A tree loves little boy unconditionally, even though he doesn't always return that love.

vernessa7
Jun 09, 2013

boy always goes to the giving tree and the tree gives him fruit and when he gets older he only comes to the giving tree for money and older he wants a house and even older he wants a boat and the oldest he wants a place to sits so he gets everything he wants. by michael